Cv joints / axles When to replace, when to reboot

[87.5ea82txt]

My front left axle has a torn inner boot and the outer popped off at some point. The wheel has a jerk to it at times and the outer part knocks/squeeks. I have a boot for the rear inner. Will it fit the front? I also have an extra bag o grease for the outer that popped off. Should I repack and reboot, or save those items for the next boot that tears?

[idosubaru]

i have had all noises/vibration go away on the two CV axles i've rebooted that were making noises and vibrating really bad (drove from Colorado to WV like that). they are now in my daily driver and perfectly fine after cleaning/repacking/rebooting. these were inner joints though, i would think outers are less forgiving.

 

you could clean the joint out, stuff a ton of grease in there by hand without rebooting - if the noises go away then you know they'll go away when you do the complete job.

 

i would repack and clamp the front outer if the boot isn't ripped - you said it just popped off? then yo'ure only out grease and clamps if it doesn't work, no big deal.

 

i don't think there's any magic to knowing which will be fine and which won't, just have to decide.

 

the inner boot is not the same part number and i don't believe it's interchangeable.